Kelley Meadows Neighborhood Park

 

Kelley Meadows Neighborhood Park site

Project update - August 2017

The property for Kelley Meadows Neighborhood Park has been transferred to the city of Vancouver, effective Aug. 1, 2017,  as part of Van Mall North annexation.

An agreement between Clark County and Vancouver included a one-time transfer of $260,000 in park impact fees to help pay for future park development at this location. Vancouver will be responsible for determining when the neighborhood park will be built and for managing the construction process.

Clark County will pay the city for maintenance of the property on an ongoing annual basis using proceeds from the Greater Clark Park District's levy. These funds are not affected by annexation. Clark County is financially responsible for maintaining park lands within the Greater Clark Parks District, regardless if an area has been annexed or remains in the unincorporated part of the county.

Site description

This 7.3-acre park is at the west end  of Northeast 69th Street, just west of Northeast Par Lane and south of Green Meadows Golf Course. The park property currently features trees, a wetland and open lawn areas.

 

Site for Kelley Meadows Neighborhood Park.

Concept plan

The approved concept plan, which was developed with input from park neighbors, includes:

  • Pedestrian entrances from Northeast 69th Street and Northeast 63rd Street

  • Small active play area next to the Northeast 69th Street entrance with traditional playground equipment, walkway, picnic table, benches, trash can and a fence separating the play area from the adjacent wetland. This area also includes nature play elements that can be added in the future as part of a volunteer project or with grant funding.
  • Walking trail between the two park entrances, including boardwalk across the wetland area and small, future loop path next to Northeast 63rd Street.
  • Tree work to improve visibility in northeast forested area, including removing dead/dying trees and invasive plants.
  • Additional benches along the trail.
  • Future small tot/nature play area next to the Northeast 63rd Street entrance.
  • Open lawn areas with no irrigation.

Neighborhood parks are designed to be walk-to/bike-to parks for people who live within a half-mile radius. They are not meant to be major destination parks, attracting visitors from across the county. Accordingly, they do not have parking lots or restrooms, which are included in larger community or regional parks that draw people from far away.

Park name

The park previously was known as "East Minnehaha." During development of the draft concept plan, neighbors were invited to suggest and vote on a new name for the park.

Kelley Meadows Neighborhood Park received the most support. The name was chosen in memory of Herman and Odelsa Kelley, who lived on the north side of Northeast 69th Street for almost 60 years.

On October 18, 2011, the Board of County Commissioners officially approved the park name change.

Park name staff report (PDF)

Public participation

Major decisions about what the park will look like and what features it will include were made during planning and design. Project staff used public input to help guide this process.

The first newsletter and comment form were mailed to neighbors living within walking distance of the park in January 2011.

Staff used the input received to develop a draft concept plan showing what the park might look like. This plan was presented to neighbors at a public meeting in March 2011.

The plan was then revised based on neighbors' input and mailed to neighbors and posted on this Web page for additional review and input in April 2011.

The Vancouver-Clark Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission approved the concept plan at a public meeting in June 2011. Neighbors may be invited to provide input on the playground equipment for the park when funding to continue final design and construction of this park is available.

March 2011 public meeting

January 2011 comment period

Project schedule

  • Winter 2010/11- late spring 2011: Planning and preliminary design phase; public feedback obtained; preferred concept plan developed.
  • Late spring/summer 2011: Proposed concept plan presented to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission for approval; planning phase ended.

During the Great Recession, this project was put on hold. Following the site's August 2017 annexation, the city of Vancouver will be responsible for final design, permitting and construction.